Which acid-base disturbance is commonly associated with ethanol intoxication?

Which acid-base disturbance is commonly associated with ethanol intoxication?

• A. Non-anion gap metabolic acidosis
• B. Anion gap metabolic acidosis
• C. Metabolic alkalosis
• D. Respiratory alkalosis

Answer: (B)

Ethanol metabolism shifts the liver’s redox state by increasing the NADH/NAD+ ratio. This drives pyruvate to lactate and oxaloacetate to malate, impairing gluconeogenesis and promoting lactate buildup as well as ketone production. The accumulation of organic acids such as lactate and beta-hydroxybutyrate raises the serum anion gap, producing an anion gap metabolic acidosis. This pattern is classically seen in alcoholic ketoacidosis or ethanol-related lactic acidosis. Non-anion gap acidosis, metabolic alkalosis, or respiratory alkalosis are not the typical primary disturbances in ethanol intoxication.

Ethanol metabolism shifts the liver’s redox state by increasing the NADH/NAD+ ratio. This drives pyruvate to lactate and oxaloacetate to malate, impairing gluconeogenesis and promoting lactate buildup as well as ketone production. The accumulation of organic acids such as lactate and beta-hydroxybutyrate raises the serum anion gap, producing an anion gap metabolic acidosis. This pattern is classically seen in alcoholic ketoacidosis or ethanol-related lactic acidosis. Non-anion gap acidosis, metabolic alkalosis, or respiratory alkalosis are not the typical primary disturbances in ethanol intoxication.